Pacers release schedule for 2016-17 season

The 2016-17 season is inching closer, and now we know when and where the Indiana Pacers will play all of their games during the upcoming campaign.

The Pacers released their schedule on Thursday, and they will open the season in Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, October 26. That marks the start of a season-long celebration of the team’s 50th season.

After the opener, the Pacers go on the road for two games in Brooklyn and Chicago before returning home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on November 1. That opens a busy month at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with 11 home games. Defending NBA Champion Cleveland makes the first of two visits November 16 (the Cavaliers return February 8), and the Cavs’ NBA Finals opponent, Golden State, makes its only trip to Indiana on November 21. The Pacers also host their traditional night after Thanksgiving game on November 25 when they play Brooklyn.

The Pacers will also open 2017 with a home game when they host Orlando on New Year’s Day. Last season’s playoff opponent and Eastern Conference Finalist Toronto makes its only visit of the season on April 4. That’s one of three home games in April as the Pacers finish the season with five of their last eight on the road. Atlanta visits April 12 for the final game of the regular season.

A unique feature to the schedule will be the Pacers’ first ever regular season game overseas. That will take place on January 12, when they play Denver in London. Aside from that long trek, the Pacers have two trips of length: five games in 10 days in late November and early December, then five games in 10 days in late February and early March.